The success story of rookie quarterback Brock Purdy at the San Francisco 49ers this season has been inspiring, and franchise legend Joe Staley thinks that it could even end in Super Bowl success.
Forced rotation in the quarterback position has been a theme this season, with many stars that were either in the back-up slot or third-choice being given a starting shot for a number of different reasons. The same has been the case with the 49ers, as season-ending injuries to Trey Lance and then Jimmy Garoppolo meant Purdy was thrown in at the deep end.
Purdy was the last pick of the entire 2022 NFL draft, but has found himself in a position where he is leading the 49ers into the playoffs, and potentially to more. Former 49ers offensive tackle Staley thinks that Purdy is a 'winner', and has told Mirror Sport that they have what it takes to go all the way.
The rookie continues to defy the odds with the 49ers, winning every single game he's started at quarterback, and even setting a record in the process. Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and Purdy are the only two rookies in the Super Bowl era to register two-or-more touchdown passes in six consecutive games - and Purdy's streak is still active.
The 49ers face Seattle Seahawks on Saturday in the first round of the playoffs, and are one of the favourites to reach the NFC Championship game at the end of the month. There's of course a lot more to the 49ers offense than Purdy, but former star Staley thinks that he's in a 'unique situation' as he's backed the 'winner' for success.
"Yeah I think he has shown that since day one when he stepped in as a starter. And I think it's also a very unique situation," Staley exclusively told Mirror Sport . "You think about rookie quarterback's starting in season one, and typically the guys that start are the guys that are really trying to turn the tide of a franchise.
"They don't have a lot of pieces around them, maybe with a first or second year coach changing systems, but I think Brock has a lot of pieces around him. He's dealing with one of the top defences in the NFL to keep the games manageable and not make it feel like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders.
"He's got playmakers at every position, an offensive line that has really found their stride in the second half of the year. Obviously, Christian McAffrey coming in and being that safety as if anything doesn't go in the backfield the way that it needs to, he's able to get the ball down there and keep the chains moving.
"Not to take away from anything that Brock's done, but he's in a pretty unique situation for a rookie quarterback to come in. But, for me, the thing I've been most impressed with is his poise.
"One game he threw an interception, tight game with four minutes left, but then you see him again going late downfield against the Raiders, very next series. I think he finished that game 6 of 10, 100 something yards and a touchdown in the last four minutes of that game.
"That's very rare stuff from a rookie quarterback and I think that's something that's going to suit him well going into the playoffs, he's been ready for these kinds of moments. Four-year starter in Iowa State, the guy's been a winner everywhere he's gone and I don't think the playoffs are going to be anything that's going to affect his mentality."
The lack of experience may lead to some doubters, but Staley thinks that Purdy has proven that he can handle the pressure, and has even closed out games with a winning mentality. The 49ers are well backed to beat the Seahawks, and with Deebo Samuel set to return, they'll be stacked with options as they begin to target Super Bowl success.
